Championship play-off final: Sheffield United v Sunderland
Date: 12:13 BST
Title: Why does the match start at 15:01 BST?
Content: Sheff Utd v Sunderland (15:01 BST)
Like the two other play-off finals this bank holiday weekend, today's game kicks off at 15:01 BST to highlight the British Heart Foundation's Every Minute Matters campaign.
It aims to inspire people to learn life-saving CPR skills in the event someone has a cardiac arrest.
Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed eight minutes into his team's Championship play-off final against Coventry two years ago.
Lockyer, who is now an ambassador for the charity, said: "I'm lucky to be alive today, but the reality is that less than one in 10 people usually survive, which is why it's vital we continue to raise awareness.
"The symbolic kick-off times are the perfect way to make our life-saving message impossible to ignore."
Update:
Date: 12:05 BST
Title: A sea of red and white
Content: Sheff Utd v Sunderland (15:01 BST)
Steve MarshallBBC Sport at Wembley
Walking towards the ground from Wembley Stadium station more than three hours before kick-off, it was no surprise to be greeted by a sea of red and white striped shirts of both sides.
And there were more than a few apprehensive faces among the wearers.
The last time I was at a play-off final here, Oxford United beat York City in the National League promotion final to return to the Football League.
The U's manager that day in 2010? A certain Chris Wilder, who today returns to Wembley as boss of Sheffield United with a place in the Premier League on the line.
The Blades have never won promotion through the play-offs in nine previous attempts and have not tasted victory at the national stadium in 100 years.
Something has to give - but will it be Wilder's winning record in play-offs or the Blades' hoodoo?
Update:
Date: 12:00 BST
Title: Championship play-off final countdown begins
Content: Sheff Utd v Sunderland (15:01 BST)
David SpereallReporter, BBC News
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today's Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Will Sunderland make it back to the Premier League after eight years away, or will Sheffield United finally break a 100-year curse and win at the national stadium?
We'll be bringing you all the pre-match build-up over the next three hours, before switching to updates from the final itself at 15:01 BST.
A place in English football's promised land awaits.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
13 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Scottie Scheffler calls Tiger Woods comparisons ‘silly' after his Open triumph
Newly-crowned Open champion Scottie Scheffler insists it is 'silly' to compare him to Tiger Woods. The 28-year-old won his second major of the year after May's US PGA, his fourth in total, and he is three-quarters of the way towards a career Grand Slam – which he can complete at next year's US Open in the same four-year time-frame as Jack Nicklaus. Advertisement Only 15-time major winner Woods has done it quicker, in three years. The numbers continue to stack up for the world number one, whose 17-under total gave him a four-stroke victory at Royal Portrush but belied how comfortable his win was. Champion Golfer of the Year. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025 On Saturday evening Rory McIlroy, a five-time major winner who himself completed the Grand Slam at the Masters in April, said Scheffler was 'inevitable' and his play is giving off a Woods-type aura. He is 111 under par in majors since the beginning of 2020, 46 shots better than anyone else, and is four from four when it comes to converting 54-hole major leads (Woods won his first 14) and has been world number one for 112 consecutive weeks. Advertisement 'I still think they're a bit silly,' Scheffler said of the Woods comparison. 'Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there. 'I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf. He was inspirational for me growing up. He was a very, very talented guy, and he was a special person to be able to be as good as he was at the game of golf. Explain this one @ golf gods — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 20, 2025 'I don't focus on that kind of stuff. That's not what motivates me. I'm not motivated by winning championships. I don't look at the beginning of the year and just say 'Hey, I want to win X amount of tournaments, I want to win whatever it is'. Advertisement 'I have dreams and aspirations that I think about, but at the end of the day I feel like what motivates me is just getting out and getting to live out my dream. 'I get to play professional golf, and I feel like I'm called to do it to the best of my ability. 'I don't place much emphasis on things that I can accomplish. It's just mostly about putting in the proper work and coming out here and competing. 'I've always done my best when I'm able to live in the present.' Advertisement On Tuesday Scheffler gave a surprisingly revealing press conference at which he admitted being successful at golf did not fulfil him and he prioritises being a good husband and father over anything. It all adds up to the Champion Golfer of the Year. @NTTDATA | #ShotView — The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025 After winning the Claret Jug he felt his comments were taken out of context and insisted he was not disrespecting the game or making light of his achievements. 'I think it really underestimates what I was trying to communicate. Maybe I didn't do as effective of a job as I hoped to in communicating that,' he added. 'At the end of the day, I have a tremendous amount of gratitude towards moments like these. Advertisement 'I literally worked my entire life to become good at this game and play this game for a living. It's one of my greatest joys of my life to compete out here. 'To be able to win The Open Championship here at Portrush is a feeling that's really hard to describe. 'This is amazing to win the Open Championship, but at the end of the day, having success in life, whether it be in golf, work, whatever it is, that's not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart. 'Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. 'It's just tough to describe when you haven't lived it.'
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Emma Paton rocks bold sleeveless outfit as fans label Sky Sports Darts host ‘absolutely stunning and so sexy'
EMMA PATON has left fans stunned with a bold sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts. The Sky Sports presenter was on duty for the tournament in Blackpool. 9 9 9 9 Emma, 30, wore a stunning white jumpsuit while on air for the broadcaster. The clothing item was completed with a wide collar and matching shoes. The presenter is a fan favourite as she often leaves fans in awe of her bold fashion choices. And this one was no different as viewers went wild for her look on social media. A second wrote: "Emma Paton on the darts. Good lord!" A third commented: "Emma Paton back on the tele!" A fourth said: "Emma Paton you absolute princess, we are so back." Another added: "I tell you what, that Emma Paton looks delightful." Back in May, Emma left fans hailing her sparkly outfit at the Premier League Darts finals. Luke Littler shows off new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided 9 9 9 World Matchplay Darts 2025 BLACKPOOL will be the home of darts for the next week as the World Matchplay returns! There has already been huge drama in round one of the tournament with SIX of the 16 players already out. A new champions is now also guaranteed after Luke Humphries crashed out in his tournament opener against Gian van Veen. There will be darts action every night this week ahead of the big final on Sunday. LIVE - Follow all the action from the World Matchplay 2025 INFO Full schedule and results Prize money LATEST NEWS Meanwhile, there was plenty of excitement at the oche in the day's action. Peter 'Snakebite' Wright was dumped out in round one by Jermaine Wattimena. This was despite him rocking a more reserved look compared to his usual bold self. Luke Littler also had a new look as he wore an updated version of his iconic purple and yellow shirt. He took on Ryan Searle in his match and romped to a dominant victory. It looked like the Nuke was on course for a whitewash as he won the first SIX legs at a canter. Searle did get on the board as he won the seventh leg, but there was no chance of a dramatic comeback. Littler rattled off the required four legs from the next five to knock out to complete his victory. The Nuke averaged an incredible 108.92 across the 12 legs. 9 9
The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
World Matchplay Darts 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler in action NOW after Humphries and Aspinall CRASH OUT
THE World Matchplay has arrived in Blackpool for nine thrilling nights of darts at the iconic Winter Gardens - with Luke Littler in action NOW! World champion Littler gets his campaign underway against Ryan Searle before Stephen Bunting's clash with Ryan Joyce closes the show. James Wade booked his place in the second round on the opening night, after a comfortable 10-3 win over Joe Cullen. But there will certainly be a new champion as Luke Humphries CRASHED OUT of the World Matchplay Darts in the first round against Gian Van Veen. Nathan Aspinall is also out and in an afternoon session full of shocks, FOUR seeded players - including Rob Cross and and Peter Wright also lost. 19th Jul 2025, 17:45 By Laurence Ryan Who is in action tonight? We have four thrilling clashes tonight. World No 1 and defending champion Luke Humphries is the biggest name of a stacked night. The full lineup tonight looks like this: 7:10pm - James Wade vs Joe Cullen 8pm - Danny Noppert vs Cameron Menzies 8:50pm - Luke Humphries vs Gian van Veen 9:30pm - Nathan Aspinall vs Wessel Nijman Timings are subject to change. 19th Jul 2025, 17:30 By Laurence Ryan Blackpool bonanza Welcome to SunSport's coverage of the World Matchplay Darts! We are bound for some excellent darting action over the next week, with the tournament set to run from July 19 to July 17 in Blackpool. Tonight will see Luke Humphries take to the oche to defend his title, with Luke Littler to wait until tomorrow. We can't wait for this one, so stay tuned for a HUGE week of darting action!
